[livingwith]

As for me and my situation it is far from textbook.
I am a 42 year old, physically healthy man, other than this pain issue.
Around February of last year (2005) I saw my primary care physician for ear pain. We went through a battery of treatments such as antibiotics (z-packs; levaquin), steroids (cortisone and prednisone) shots etc.. and finally after about 6 weeks, the pain went away.
This year around the same time the same thing started up, however the pain would traverse back and forth rand...Read the full article

[PainInTheNeck]

Shelby;

I've been pain free for 4 years. Like Shelby I went to a many doctors including ENTs, dentists, and nuerologists (receiving antibiotics, steroids, barium swallows, TMJ studies, electronic nerve shocks, MRI's, injections etc). Eventually I was diagnosed with glossopharyngeal nuerolgia and prescribed tegretol (By the way, like you I have sinus issues that include a deviated septum, terrible allergies, hay fever, sensitivity to cold air, and major sinus drainage with post nasal drip for which I'm vigilant and pro-active at treating to prevent as this condition is definitely connected to my nuerologic pain). For a while, the tegretol regimen did mask the pain until I reached the maximum doseage 1,200 mg per day and the pain threshhold level peaked. I was later prescribed Trileptol which I was told is a second generation version of tegretol. My GN pain was easily triggered by swallowing, yawning, coughing, talking, or tightening my neck muscles on the "bad" side which resulted in sharp burning, jabbing, stabbing sensations like an ice pick in the back of my throat near my tonsil. Over time, the symptomatic pain progressed and included my inner ear, temple on up the side of my head. I could apply pressure on the back of my neck and manipulate the pain threshold.

Eventually I went to a reputable pain clinic and received some positive benefits - especially from bio-feedback sessions. The bio-feedback improved my awareness of where I carry my muscle tension and subsequently improved my posture (neck and shoulders) and I learned proper ergo-nomics. I defintely keep tylenol on hand (many times 800 mg ibuprofen although tough on my stomach) and always use it when my neck and shoulders are tight. Also I take frequent steam showers, get plenty of rest, and schedule weekly massage therapy and chiropractic appointments. My chiropractor took x-rays and informed me that my pain issue is a result of severe whiplash caused in an auto accident when I was sixteen years old. Constant on going maintenance works for me. In my case, I'm pleased I did NOT take the advise of one nuero surgeon and opt for surgery! Hope you're doing better. Take care, DJ